A COVENTRY food business has been fined over £8,300 after city council officers discovered a rat infestation.
Siraj Hussain, the food business operator of Dairy Farm Products Ltd, pleaded guilty to three hygiene offences at Coventry magistrates court on Monday (May 15).
Food and safety officers visited the business last May for a routine unannounced food hygiene inspection, during which they found a ‘significant and established’ rat infestation.
There were also large amounts of nibbled food and droppings throughout the warehouse.
The warehouse was voluntarily closed while improvements were made and the infestations treated, and it reopened when there was no imminent health risk.
When questioned about the conditions, a company representative said they had been trying to control the rat activity themselves after their previous pest control contract was terminated, as they had struggled to find an alternative.
Mr Hussain pleaded guilty to failure to put in place adequate procedures to control pests, keep the premises clean and maintained in good repair and condition and protect food from contamination.
He was fined £5,539 and ordered to pay full costs of £2,602.50 as well as a victim surcharge of £190.
The warehouse has received several visits since the incident and pest management remains under control.
Davina Blackburn, Strategic Lead for Regulation in the city, said: “We take a staged approach to enforcement wherever possible, but the conditions found here required immediate action.
“Food hygiene is a serious matter and the courts have sent out a strong message to expect a substantial fine.”
Anyone who knows of unsatisfactory food hygiene conditions found in food businesses in Coventry should email [email protected] or call 08085834333 and report it.
